The Mid-Hudson Bridge, image courtesy the Archives of Modjeski and Masters, Inc.
Commencement…
The laying of a cornerstone signifies an intention to build something important — a structure for the ages. A beginning to be celebrated by the communities involved. That was certainly the case for the cornerstone of the Hudson River’s Mid-Hudson Bridge 100 years ago this October 9th. It commenced a connection long dreamed of by [Read More…]
Putting Down Roots: An Interview with Tom Lindtveit
In February of 2024, I dropped a note to Woodsman Forest Products in West Hurley, NY, seeking a donation for the John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge annual April Auction. The note was one of perhaps seventy-five I sent to businesses I hoped would want to help preserve the lodge. Woodsman Forest Products’ owner was among the [Read More…]
Historic Timbered Crossings
Longer covered bridges were constructed to span major streams like the Wallkill, Rondout, and Esopus, shorter covered bridges helped bind communities in the Catskills where narrow ravines and rushing water made travel difficult. Without exception, covered bridges provided practical crossings for widely separated hamlets that helped integrate rural economies based on agriculture with emerging villages [Read More…]
Putting Down Roots: The Ostmark Family
Rex Schneider pointed at the young man sitting on the Schneider sofa, “This is Jack Ostmark. He’s a Trooper.” Rex, a man of few words, always said more than most because his were chosen words–not the stream of consciousness we are so used to hearing. Rex was a kind of physical structure to many of [Read More…]
The Other Burroughs
Passers-by could be forgiven for not noticing the grave site of Julian Burroughs. It’s easily overlooked by those cruising along Route 9W in West Park, NY. The entire cemetery there is dwarfed by a complex of stone barns just south of it—flashes of them through the trees are glimpses of another era, perhaps even another [Read More…]
